Denise Rokitka

Biography:

I joined the Medical Oncology Department at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in 2008 as an Assistant Professor in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology and Director of the Pediatric Long-Term Follow-up (LTFU) Program. The Pediatric LTFU program is designed to see all children, young adults, and adults that had cancer as a child or adolescent. The LTFU program’s mission is to promote ongoing health and wellness for pediatric cancer survivors.

I earned my medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine. I completed my residency training in Pediatrics and my fellowship training in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. During my fellowship, I developed a specialized interest in childhood cancer survivors. In addition, I obtained my Masters in Public Health as part of my fellowship training and to further my clinical research potential with a focus on childhood cancer survivors.

I am active in clinical research in the health and quality of life of childhood cancer Survivors. I currently have two research grants that I’m actively accruing survivors for participation. First is a study assessing executive function skills (for example, organizing and performing a task), and its relation to depression and to previous cancer therapies. The second study involves an exercise program with performance of some heart and lung function tests prior to the start and at the end of the exercise program.

If you have questions about the LTFU clinic or about the research activities please call 716-845-4447 or 716-845-1300, x5583.